I started having skin rashes last December. After eliminating many things from my diet I decided mid March that I was possibly gluten intolerant and started eating accordingly. I had blood taken on April 29th for a gluten test and it was negative. I continued to watch my gluten intake and still kept having reactions.

You might remember that on June 13th I had some blood drawn for allergy testing. Our health care paid for 5 tests and I had to pay for the other 3 tests at $21.00 each. I was tested for cow’s milk, soybean, wheat, gluten, oat, yeast and cheese ( they chose cheddar). They all came back negative. I continued to eat gluten free and still had reactions, the last big one being around June 18th just before I went to Edmonton to see my Mom for the last time.

That is when Colin came up with the suggestion that I might be allergic to coffee. I did a blog on that back in June. I also included this article that supports caffeine intolerance. For our anniversary earlier this month, we did a take out dinner rather than go out as I’m not so mobile right now and I ate wheat and had no reaction. A week later I tried a small amount of wheat again with no reaction. So far so good. Back to eating gluten free.

This past weekend I decided to treat myself to one of my Maxwell House special coffees, Orange Cappuccino instant coffee mix. I had one on Friday morning, two on Saturday morning and two again on Sunday morning. By mid morning Saturday I started having a rash on my neck, chest area and in the inside folds of my elbows and by Saturday evening I was sneezing and sneezing which is another caffeine allergy symptom. I sneezed all day Sunday and wondered if I was getting a cold.

I have not had caffeine since Sunday morning and have stopped sneezing and the rash is subsiding. Very very interesting. I do have formal allergy testing set up on August 22nd where I will be sure to have them check for caffeine. I am still drinking decaf coffee at this time.

So I am willing to give up coffee as long as I can go back to my soy based meals and have flatbreads again.

UPDATED JULY 30TH

In reply to a comment and to clarify. For years and years I have drunk these coffee mixes. Last summer when I went back to Weight Watchers I decided to switch to black drip coffee in order to keep my calories down. It was after 5 months of drinking drip coffee that I noticed my skin rash. That is why I think it is caffeine related.

A surprising number of products contain caffeine, and some have a lot more than what you think. Even decaffeinated drinks still contain caffeine – although only a small amount such as decaf brewed coffee .

It’s the Maxwell House Coffee! I have the same problem, but not with other brands. There’s something bad wrong in Maxwell House coffee. I love the taste but have to take off work if I unknowingly drink it!